NEWSLETTER

OUR MISSION: To preserve the natural and cultural heritage of El Charco del Ingenio, and maintain a botanical garden dedicated to the conservation and study of regional flora and ecosystems, with a primary focus on environmental education.

In vain do we come to live,
to sprout on Earth?
Let us leave flowers at least,
Songs at least.

- Netzahualcoyotl, King of Texcoco

A NEW AND SURPRISING ROLE OF EL CHARCO IN SAN MIGUEL

The mission our non-profit organization has established since its inception has been intimately related to its geographic and social context: the city of San Miguel, the Municipality, the region… It was aimed to rescue a historical natural area, opening it both to our local community and to our visitors, a goal which has been completed during the last 27 years. Nevertheless the fast and radical changes San Miguel is experiencing nowadays, due to massive tourist expansion, uncontrolled urban development, steady gentrification, growing insecurity, and environmental, visual and noise pollution, is giving the Botanical Garden’s reserve a new role that was not so obvious in the past years. It is more and more becoming a sort of natural refuge where both residents and visitors find the so-needed tranquility and open-air experience in safe and clean conditions. And it also serves as a model for respecting nature and for sustainability, that young visitors can experience as they mature. So maybe El Charco’s newest mission is offering San Miguel a balance in its destiny if the current trends continue…

A NEW VISITOR INTERPRETATIVE CENTER FOR THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

In order to offer a better service to El Charco’s visitors and members, the entire reception area will be re-modeled in an integral manner this year. The project consists of the construction of a visitor's interpretative center for El Charco. This will include a renewal of the Botanical Garden’s reception area and upgrading the current infrastructure in order to give a better service to the increasing numbers of visitors. It is designed for a smooth and comfortable flow as visitors enter the preserve. We want to offer an opportunity to gain an understanding of the geographical setting, the native plants and animals, and the importance of preserving the surrounding ecosystem, thus reinforcing our primary mission of environmental education mainly directed to the younger generations. We have over 40,000 visitors each year, including school groups from San Miguel and the surrounding communities. This new visitor center will serve to deepen these young visitors’ understanding about the effects human activities have on the environment and what it means for their futures.

Besides the renewal of the gift shop, toilets, cafeteria and plant exhibits, this new project’s highlight is the construction of a new information module, which will allow visitors to obtain an accurate interpretation of El Charco’s bio-cultural conservation project. This new pavilion will display geographical, geological, hydrological, biological, historical and cultural information, accessible to all visitors. The new project is in charge of talented architects and exhibition designers, who have already completed the executive design. It proposes a solid, functional complex harmonizing with the simple and natural style of the Garden. This will create a permanent structure which will serve the current and future generations of visitors.

A work of this magnitude obviously requires extraordinary resources. So we have already started the corresponding fundraising. A matching fund has been established. Any contribution of $150 USD or more will be matched with an equal amount from this fund during 2018. This means that donations received for the construction will be doubled and deposited in the construction fund. U.S. tax-deductible contributions can be made through the SMCF (sanmiguelcommunityfoundation.org) by making the notation "for El Charco del Ingenio visitor center." Otherwise, simple donations can be made at the Garden’s reception or through a bank transfer to:

Large contributors will be permanently recognized within the new center with the names of the donors or a name of a person you wish to offer in remembrance. We will have an area designated to honor those contributions.

FOREST FIRES

Spring in El Charco brings beautiful colorful flowers in the nopales, agaves and yuccas. Also birds and bees roam around the site, preparing for the coming season, the Summer in the semi-desert, also known as the dry season, with its high temperatures at midday that dehydrate the existing vegetation and cause the almost entire evaporation of water in the dam. Migratory birds return to their places of origin and we all look for the shade of a mesquite, huizache or nopal that gives us a little freshness.

Given this situation, we need to be very alert because it also increases the possibility of fires. But what are wildfires? These occur when a fire spreads uncontrollably and affects the forests, or vegetation of arid and semi-arid zones. It should be mentioned that most forest fires are caused by human activities, mainly due to negligence or on purpose, putting at risk the conservation of natural heritage and the safety of people.

El Charco has suffered several fires over time, the most devastating occurring in May 2011, with 35 affected hectares, and April 2016, with 20 hectares, causing loss of biodiversity and soil damage. For this reason, the staff of El Charco continuously strives through the acquisition of tools and training to fight fires. It is for this reason that when you visit the Botanical Garden and Natural Protected Area we ask you not to start any kind of fire, including smoking, in the whole territory. Remember that a small ember can destroy a great refuge of fauna and flora.

TRAINING THE BOTANICAL GARDEN’S STAFF AGAINST FIRES

The team of El Charco, along with other brigades of the region, attended a course designed by CONAFOR (the Mexican federal forest agency) in order to improve planning and organization before an incident happens in the territory. With special emphasis on forest fires, El Charco brigade acquired new knowledge and reaffirmed its experience for actions of prevention and management of situations that require the orderly collaboration of the team. We thank CONAFOR for their support through this course.

WHAT IS THE GLOBAL BIG DAY?

Saturday, May 5th / 9 am / Reception of the Botanical Garden

It is a worldwide event aiming to draw attention on birds. It is about inviting people from all over the world to go out to observe birds and collectively register the greatest number of species. It is this Friday May 5th! In El Charco we will tell you how to participate.

2018 IS THE YEAR OF BIRDS – CELEBRATE AND CONSERVE

Biologist Emilio Vargas Colmenero from the State Ecology Institute offered last April a workshop at El Charco on registering and monitoring avifauna. What we learned in that workshop will be very useful for the bird count in the Protected Natural Areas of the State during the Global Big Day this May 5th. We will also begin the seasonal registration in the three habitats of the Botanical Garden (scrub, wetlands and canyon), with a fixed points methodology in our trails. We are very excited about this action!

NEW STAFF IN THE GIFT SHOP / RECEPTION

Francisco Grimaldi, is a young entrepreneur from San Miguel with professional studies in Community Development and experience in productive projects in local communities. He has recently been trained for this important position, showing enthusiasm for nature and participating in the varied activities in El Charco. We welcome Francisco. At the same time we note our appreciation for Olivette Manzano, who served until now as the reception and shop’s manager.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

WHAT IS A MEMBER?
- A person who is part of the community where the Bótanico Garden exists and collaborates with an annual financial contribution, to support the achievement of the objectives of the AC, and in exchange carries a credential that gives advantages and responsibilities.
WHY DOES SOMEONE BECOME A MEMBER OF El CHARCO?
- To support the conservation project and its programs (scientific, educational and communitarian), to learn about environmental conservation and the botanical collection, because the Botanical Garden honors nature and traditions, and because El Charco makes our city a better place to live in.
ADVANTAGES OF BEING A MEMBER OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN.
- Special guided tours
- Discounts or free events: concerts, courses, full moon ceremonies, equinoxes and solstices
- Discount of 5% for the cardholder in the Café (NEW)
- Special hours. The Botanical Garden's schedule for the general public is from 9am to 5pm. For members: Summer time: Entry from 7:30 am / Departure 6:30 pm Winter timetable: Entrance from 7:30 a.m./ Exit 6:00 p.m.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENTS
- Comply with the Charco regulations: (NOT ALLOWED
* Bring food or alcoholic beverages
* Enter with pets or bicycles
* Collect plants, animals, rocks or seeds
* Throw stones or objects * Smoke or light fires
* Use sound equipment
* Photo sessions and use of drones (without permission)
* Alter the natural landscape)
- Bring the membership card when you visit. The card is non
-transferable and there are no family memberships.
-Enter through the Reception and register in the guestbook.

MAY ACTIVITIES

Bird-watching Tours

Every first and third Wednesday of the month, 9 am – 11:30 am. English Cost: 100 pesos general public | 60 pesos or El Charco members
Guides include Signe Hammer, Norman Besman, Luke Rich and Michael Wheatcroft.
The walks are for birders of all levels. They begin at 9:00 am and last about 2 1/2 hours. No reservations needed, and feel free to leave the walk at any time. Please bring binoculars, wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat, and bring water. Your guide will meet you after you pass through the Reception area of the Botanical Garden.

Info.:charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com

Guided Tours in El Charco

Tuesdays and Thursday, 10:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.

Cost: 80pesos, members 50pesos

Visit the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, the Scented Garden and the canyon, archeological ruins and much more. We recommend you wear sunscreen, and bring a hat.

Don’t forget the free transportation from town to El Charco on these days.

THE FULL MOON CEREMONY

We invite everyone to this open celebration that has been taking place for many years during the full moon cycle at the Four Winds Plaza in the Botanical Garden under the always surprising direction of Alicia Mayo. It’s worth arriving a little early to admire the setting of the sun and the appearance of the moon over the mountains. You may want to bring a coat for cool evenings and you may bring a musical instrument.

Alicia Mayo : 152 .0376.

TRADITIONAL TEMAZCAL

Sunday, May 27 / 10a.m. with Isabel Aguado

This sweat-lodge steam bath, of ritual and healing character, takes place under the direction of an experienced temazcal leader in the ruins of the hacienda located in the Botanical Garden on the far side of the reservoir.
The combination of heat, humidity and fragrant herbs provides a purifying experience for the body and spirit. Its benefits are multiple: it activates circulation, increases the body’s defenses, eliminates pains, decreases uric acid, relaxes the muscles, regulates the nervous system, stimulates respiration and is excellent for losing weight.

We suggest bringing a flashlight for when you go from the temazal to the reception.

FREE TRANSPORTATION TO THE BOTANICAL GARDEN FROM THE HISTORICAL CENTER

COMING TO EL CHARCO BY TAXI?

Some of visitors use taxis for transportation to the Botanical Garden. However, some may have doubts about how to return to town. We remind all our visitors and users that El Charco has an agreement with radio taxis company of San Miguel for safe transfer from El Charco to the center or other parts of the city. Just ask for a taxi at the reception Garden. The fee for the return trip is 60 pesos-a little more than one-way fare to Charco from the center, which should not be more than 60 pesos. We recommend you and the driver agree on the fare before boarding the taxi.

PUBLICATIONS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

Throughout its existence, El Charco has published several books and pamphlets in Spanish and English, on flora and natural resources of the reserve and the region of San Miguel de Allende. To these, other publications by researchers and scientific institutions on related subjects have been added. All are issues of great interest and quality, and are on sale at the Gift Shop.

Click on the book for more information about it.

At the Café

Week-end special …

In the Gift Shop

New poster of the Agave flower, engraved by the graphic artist, Rocio Rios.

WHEN YOU VISIT THE BOTANICAL GARDEN….

BRING YOUR THERMOS OR WATER BOTTLE, which can be filled for free from the wáter fountain near the reception/café.

El Charco del Ingenio is plastic bottle free zone, and, for obvious reasons, they are not sold on site since they become garbage, rarely recycled, representing an unnecesary expense for the user and a benefit for the corporations that exploit groundwater.